Commitments and Contingencies - Future Financing Commitments (Details) (AUO Joint Venture [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 01, 2012
AUO Joint Venture [Member]
Financing Commitment [Line Items]
2012 (remaining six months)	$ 47,770
2013	101,400
2014	96,770
Total Future Financing Obligations	$ 245,940

The amount of future financing owed in the current fiscal year of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	spwr_FutureFinancingObligationsYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	spwr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant